Witt, Atlee A.; Smith, Derek K.; Thompson, Randall C.; Thomas, Gregory S.; Sutherland, M. Linda; Sutherland, James D.; Michalik, David E.; Rowan, Chris J.; & van Schaik, Katherine D. (2026). Imaging the past: Dental pathologies and cardiovascular disease in Egyptian mummified remains. Journal of the American Dental Association. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2025.11.013
Advances in imaging now allow us to study bone and dental diseases in both living patients and ancient remains. In archaeological studies, dental conditions like cavities (caries) and gum disease (periodontal disease) are common and can give clues about overall health, including risks for conditions such as heart disease. Studying mummies provides a unique window into the health of past populations and the relationship between oral and systemic health over time.
Using CT scans of Egyptian mummies, we examined dental problems, including cavities, periapical lesions (infections at the tooth root), and the distance from the tooth to the jawbone. We also looked at whether oral health problems were linked to hardened arteries. We found that severe cavities and gum disease were very common in this group. Oral health issues were associated with the number of calcified blood vessels, although age and sex also influenced these patterns.
These findings show that dental disease, including cavities and gum disease, existed in ancient populations and that poor oral health may have been connected to cardiovascular disease. Understanding these historical patterns highlights the importance of oral health across the lifespan and offers context for modern dental care, emphasizing how cultural and lifestyle factors shape oral health challenges.
Figure 1 Computed tomographic scans of Hatiay, a mummy included in the original Horus work,16 with evidence of both carotid calcifications (blue arrow) and poor dental health (red arrows).